Battaile Muse letter to John Hatley Norton, 1789 July 26

Battaile Muse letter to John Hatley Norton, 1789 July 26

Battaile Muse, letter to John Hatley Norton, Winchester, Virginia, dated July 26, 1789. Muse writes concerning Effingham Forest Plantation and its overseer Charles Payne.

MS1936.3.2041
Folder 197

Ink on paper

[Page 1]

July 26th 1789

Sir:

I have not heard From your Estate since
harvast, I have expected to hear from Payne
For some Time - If its been as Dry in
Fauquier as it has been with me in Berkeley
there can not be much crop expected - we have
had no rain for many weeks our crop of
corn is very sorry - The crops of wheat are
good - I shall direct M^r. Payne to sow
all the Land he can in wheat - I wish you
to write to him on that subject as wheat
is the surest crop - If you Propose to sell
your Lands in Fauquier I advise you not
to Break up the Plantation, - if you do
not inted to sell the Land but to keep it
For your children I would rent it out for a
Term of years - be assured their is but Little

[Page 2]

to be made in croping with Negroes under overseers.

I propose to the sweet Springs about the 20^th of
August Prevents my visiting your Estate untill
my return in October - Should you not incline
to keep Payne another year - an overseer should
be Provided in Time Perhaps it may do in
October - I had rather you should agree with a
Man your self, - should you incline to keep
Payne, he ought to Part with his stock - He
has not Judgment to mannage more than
10 hands - I do not at Present know any Person
that I can recommend as an overseer - Should you
go down to the Plantation and Propose to rent it
I Pointed out to Payne how it might be Laid out
For three Plantations or more - the Estate will
be in Better order for croping next year than it

[Running vertically down the page]

Colo. Nicholson writes to me that he cannot Pay you

[Page 2]

to be made in croping with Negroes under overseers.

I propose to the sweet Srpings abot the 20^th of
August Prevents my visiting your Estate untill
my return in October - Should you not incline
to keep Payne another year - an overseer should
be Provided in Time Perhaps it may do in
October - I had rather you should agree with a
Man your self, - should you incline to keep
Payne, he ought to Part with his stock - He
has not Judgment to mannage more than
10 hands - I do not at Present know any Person
that I can recommend as an overseer - Should you
go down to the Plantation and Propose to rent it
I Pointed out to Payne how it might be Laid out
For three Plantations or more - the Estate will
be in Better order for croping next year than it

[Page 3]

has ever been in - as their is more Fresh Land
and the Fenceing in Better order &c &c

I always am anxious to fulfill the Trust
reposed in me - It gives me concern that
I can not go down to your Estate at this Time
My weak state of Health will be a Sufficient
apoligy - (rather than alludig it to any
other case) For my not attending your Estate
at a Time of so assual to see into the Finishing
the present crop as wll to Provide for [torn, illegible] next
year - - you will therefore consid[er] your
own Interest on the Business and do as you
think best -

I am Sir your
Hble Servant
Battaile Muse

[Running vertically down the page]

you will direct M^r Payne about your beaves and muttons - I believe
there are but few weathers fit for muttons and the ewes aught not
to be diminished too much, say about six muttons - & three beaves.

[Page 4]

John Hatley Norton Esq^r.
Winchester

Berkeley 26 July 178[9]
Battaille Muse.
answ^d.
that J.HN has wrote to
Chs. Payne.